Boycott leader accuses Israel of imposing travel ban

Omar Barghouti listens during an interview with the Associated Press in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Tuesday, May 10, 2016. Barghouti, a Qatari-born Palestinian who is married to an Israeli woman and leader of the international boycott movement against Israel, on Tuesday accused Israeli authorities of imposing a travel ban on him as retribution for his political activities. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)
(The Associated Press)

JERUSALEM – A leader of the international boycott movement against Israel is accusing Israeli authorities of imposing a travel ban on him.

Omar Barghouti says Israel told him last month that it was not renewing a permit that allows him to travel abroad. As a permanent resident of Israel, he does not hold a passport and instead requires special permission to travel.

Barghouti says the decision is "absolutely" political. Israel's interior minister told a conference in March that he was considering revoking Barghouti's residency status.

The ministry said Tuesday that there is evidence that Barghouti's "center of life" is in the West Bank, not Israel, and his residency is under review.

Israel has identified the BDS movement, which calls for boycotts, divestment and sanctions, as a major threat.